Tragedy as body of boy, 12, is pulled from river after police divers scour water for hours

NewsUK News THE body of a 12-year-old boy was pulled from a river following a search by divers. Emergency crews were called to reports of a person in the water near Hackney Marshes shortly after 6pm on Saturday. The London Fire Brigade joined Metropolitan Police officers in a desperate search of the River Lea. But after hours of searching, cop divers recovered the boy’s body at around 12.15am on Sunday. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! He was pronounced dead at the scene. The tragedy has left the local community in shock, with Hackney’s mayor describing the death as a “devastating loss”. “This is a devastating loss for our community, and I know many will be feeling a deep sense of shock and sadness,” she said. “The boy’s family will need time to grieve this unimaginable loss, so please respect their privacy.” The force said the boy’s death was being treated as unexpected. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Most read in The Sun Detective Inspector Azmeen Pinnu, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is a deeply tragic incident and our thoughts are with the boy’s family, friends and the wider community. “This incident is now being investigated on behalf of the coroner, and enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened.” His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.